Experimental Study on Lateral Bearing Capacity ...

By the lateral bearing capacity tests on 9 composite wall specimens, made of bricks R.C. flange columns and ring beams, with different height to width ratio (H/B) and under different vertical pressure ( ), the effects of the vertical pressure and the overall height to width ratio on the lateral bearing capacity of brick walls were studied, and the failure characteristics and deformation behavior of such walls have been analyzed. By means of experiment and analysis, some significance conclusions were drawn. It is obvious that using R.C. flange column and ring beam is an effective way to improve lateral bearing capacity, especially flexural capacity, and it is strongly suggested to be used when the width of wall between windows is narrow.